Navy hearing in Caldwell man’s death

June 20, 2013

NORFOLK, Va. - The Navy has identified the two men who could face a court martial on involuntary manslaughter and dereliction-of-duty charges in the drowning deaths of two divers at Aberdeen Proving Ground near Baltimore.

Senior Chief Petty Officer James Burger and Chief Warrant Officer 3 Mark Smith were named during an Article 32 investigation hearing at Naval Station Norfolk on Wednesday.

They drowned Feb. 26 while working at the Super Pond underwater weapons-testing facility.

The Navy hearing will help determine whether the charges will be referred to a court-martial, dealt with administratively or dismissed. It will continue today.

The test facility, dubbed the "Super Pond," is used to conduct shock testing of vessels, submarine systems and munitions. With a bottom measuring 300 feet in diameter and a maximum depth of 150 feet, the facility also has been used in testing torpedoes, missiles, warheads, amphibious and remotely controlled vehicles, underwater gun firing and acoustics.